Red Flamboyant Festival opens in Haiphong
| A performance at the 2023 Red Flamboyant Festival in Haiphong on May 13. Photo: The Hanoi Times |
The northern city of Haiphong on May 13 kicked off the Red Flamboyant Festival 2023 to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the city’s liberation and promote local cultures to both domestic and international visitors. Thousands of people attended the opening ceremony, which featured performances by popular Vietnamese artists such as Hoang Thuy Linh, Noo Phuoc Thinh, and Van Mai Huong, as well as foreign troupes from China and Italy.
The festival also consists of many other activities such as a parachute diving performance and the introduction of a walking city tour. The first edition of the festival was held in 2012.
Indonesia wins Vietnam despite red card
Vietnam lost 2-3 to Indonesia despite having a man advantage in the semifinal of the 32nd SEA Games Men's Football Tournament on May 13. Indonesia took the lead in the 10th and 52nd minutes, but was shown a red card in the 60th minute. Vietnam tried to equalize in the 36th and 78th minutes.
The Vietnamese players were unable to break through their opponents' defensive line. With the game almost over, Indonesia scored the winning goal in the 96th minute. Indonesia will face Thailand in the final, while Vietnam will meet Myanmar for third place on May 16.
HCM City outlines fares for the first metro line
All passengers can enjoy a free one-month trial when HCM City launches its first metro line connecting Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien.
After the first month of operation, the operator will charge each passenger VND9,000-24,000 (US$0.38-1.02) for one trip, VND48,000 (US$2.05) for a daily ticket, and VND108,000 (US$4.60) for a three-day pass.
Monthly passes for non-student passengers are VND330,000 (US$14.07) each, and students enjoy a 50% discount on their monthly pass. Senior citizens, children and the disabled will travel free of charge, and all passengers will enjoy discounts and free tickets during holidays and major events.
About US$10.6 million raised to build houses for northwest people
The Central Committee of the Fatherland Front of Vietnam raised VND250 billion (US$10.6 million) on May 13 to build houses for poor people of Dien Bien Province
and the northwest region. The committee aims to receive donations totaling VND350-400 billion (US$14.9-17 million) to build 5,000 houses for people in Dien Bien Province and 3,000 houses for people in the Northwest Region. The program will last for one year until May 7, 2024.
Saigon Co.op general director chairs retailers association
Nguyen Anh Duc, general director of local retailer Saigon Co.op, has been elected chairman of the Association of Vietnam Retailers. Duc has been working at Saigon Co.op since 2006, and he became the company's general director in March 2020. The executive has taken initiatives to improve the operation of retail activities in line with international practices.
Saigon Co.op now has 800 Co.opmart stores and other brands such as Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, Co.op Smile, Cheers 24h, Sense City, and SC Vivo City.
Four new Windows system vulnerabilities discovered
Vietnamese technology and cybersecurity firm Bkav has warned Windows users of four potential vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to compromise their computers. The four vulnerabilities, coded CVE-2023-29325, CVE-2023-29336, CVE-2023-24932, and CVE-2023-24941, allow hackers to probe and steal personal information and make users victims of online scams.
Bkav recommends that users update their computers with the latest Windows patch, avoid opening unknown emails, and contact technicians if system errors are detected.
Vietnam ensures adequate vaccine supply for expanded immunization program
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has asked the Ministry of Health to order or request vaccine donations to ensure sufficient vaccines for the expanded immunization program. The Ministry will set up a steering committee led by the Drug Administration of Vietnam in May this year to take responsibility for the program. Special priority mechanisms will be given to combined vaccines and vaccines that have not been introduced in the National Expanded Vaccination Program in 2023-25.
The Ministry's Department of International Cooperation has been tasked with expanding bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries and international organizations in research and production.
